Structure for mounting sockets and other devices in lighting fixtures



p 1959 J A. PASCUCCI 2,905,809

INVENTOR Jim/a PAJ'C ua c/ STRUCTURE FOR MOUNTING SOCKETS AND OTHER DEVICES IN LIGHTING FIXTURES Julio-A. Pascucci, Meriden, Conn., assignor to The Miller Company, Meriden, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application January 14, 1957, Serial No. 634,104

7 Claims. 01. z40--s1.11)

This invention relates to electric lighting fixtures and more specifically to a new and improved structure for mounting sockets and other devices in electric fixtures.

One object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel and improved support for sockets and other elements in electric fixtures that is characterized by its simplicity, ease of installation and relatively low cost. By reason of a novel and improved arrangement of elements the socket supporting structure can be held in position on the fixture without the need for auxiliary fastening means. In the case of fluorescent fixtures utilizing elongated channel-like housing the socket supporting structure can be arranged to engage opposing walls of the channel and function both as a socket supporting member as well as a stiffening member for the channel. If desired the socket supporting member can further be arranged to provide support for the entire fixture.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel and improved socket support for fluorescent fixtures wherein the support is arranged to slidably engage and automatically lock in position on the fixture.

Still another object of the invention resides in a novel and improved fixture and socket supporting means therefor.

The above and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings forming part of this application.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view in perspective of a socket supporting structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 showing the first step in securing the socket mounting member to the associated channel member forming part of the completed fixture;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of Fig. 2 taken along the line 3-3 thereof;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side view of the invention similar to Fig. 2 but with the socket supporting structure in the locked position; and

Figs. 5 and 6 are cross sectional views of Fig. 4 taken along the lines 55 and 6-6 thereof.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings is for the purpose of supporting lamp sockets for fluorescent tubes within a suitable channel member that forms a top protective member for the fluorescent tubes and may embody a suitable wire way, reflector or other elements for operation and support of the fixture. In the normal case the outer channel member is generally of U-shaped configuration having downwardly extending side walls. With the socket support in accordance with the invention specially arranged perforations are utilized in the walls of the channel member and the bracket member is provided with appropriate tabs or offset portions arranged to slidably engage the openings in the slide walls to lock the socket supporting 7 means in position thereon. In addition when the socket cooperating openings in the side walls 13.

supporting member is in position in a channel it is locked against movement in all directions and two such bracket supporting members on opposite ends of the channel may provide the sole support for the entire If desired, bracket members may be used as means for securing two or more fixtures in end to end relationship to form a substantially unitary structure with auxilitary means being used to support the structure in an operative position.

Inasmuch as the invention concerns the attachment of a bracket or supporting member in a fluorescent fixture channel, only the top protective channel, of which a portion is customarily employed as the wiring chan nel, is shown. In the drawings this wiring or protective channel is generally denoted by the numeral 10 and includes a top wall 11 having ofiset end portions 12 and a pair of side walls 13. For stiffening purposes and for the support of other elements of the fixture the bottom edges of the side walls 13 may be terminated in inwardly formed flanges 14.

The socket supporting member is generally denoted by the numeral 15 and is adapted to span the inside of the channel. It is attached to the side walls 13 by means of engagement of end tabs on the bracket 15 with More specifically, each side wall 13 of the channel 10 includes a pair of openings 16 and 17 for each bracket with the corresponding openings in opposing walls being aligned. The opening 16 is generally rectangular in shape while the opening 17 is provided with a rectangular central section 18, a relatively narrow elongated section 19 and a relatively wide portion 20 extending toward the opening 16 and of substantially the same width.

The cooperating tabs on the bracket member 15 for engagement with the openings 16 and 17 include a pair of downwardly extending coplanar tabs 21 and 22 and a central tab 23 that is spaced outwardly from the tabs 21 and 22 so that the spacing between the plane of the outer surface of tabs 21 and 22 and the plane of the inner surface of tab 23 is substantially equivalent to the thickness of the associated side wall 13. In addition to the three tabs described above, the tab 21 is formed with a latching or locking member 24 that preferably constitutes an integral part of the tab 21 and extends outwardly therefrom.

Both ends. of the socket supporting bracket 15 are arranged in a similar mannervand each bracket is installed by first inserting it between the side walls 13 with the tabs 23 disposed within the central section 18 of their cooperating openings 17. At the same time the locking tab 24 engages the opening 16 since it has a vertical dimension slightly smaller than the vertical dimension of the opening 16. When both sets of tabs 23 and 24 are in engagement with their cooperating openings as shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, the entire bracket assembly 15 is then forcibly moved outwardly of the channel 13 to the position shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. Since the locking tabs 24 each have inclined surfaces 24 outward movement of the bracket member 15 will produce a slight deflection of the channel walls 13 without permanently deforming the channel. During this outward movement the upper or neck portion 23' of each tab 23 will engage the elongated slots 19 forming part of the opening 17. When the tabs are seated in the slots 19, the latching tab 24 will snap into the slot 20 forming part of the opening 17 and prevent movement of the bracket 15 inwardly of the channel 10. Since the slots 19 and 20 of the opening 17 snugly engage the tabs 23 and 24 the bracket 15- will be locked against all movement relative to the side walls 13.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that 3 when thebracket. 15 is in place in the channel the tabs 21 and- 22 willlie fiat against the insides oi the walls 13, while the tabs 23 will engage the outer surface of the walls 13. This may be observed more clearly in Fig. 6'.

While the fluorescent=secket 2-5, of which only one is illustrated, is preferably secured in place on the bracket 15prior to mounting of the bracket inthe channehlt); itis evident that the socket may be mounted impositionafter the bracket ls isin place in the channel. In-the=drawings thesockebZS is secured to the bracket 15 by a single screw 26 landlisloeked-againstmovement'relative to the bracket ls by theengagementzoi a pain of bosses 27- on the socket with cooperating openings 28 in the bracketdi;

Iii-certain cases it-maybedesirable to-cennect two-or more fluorescent fixtures in end toand relationship to form anelongated-unitarylighting flXRll'Q. For this pur pose the, brackets 15 on: eachendof-"the channel 10 ar epreferably. mounted-- so thatthe-oute1'- edge 1 of each; bracket 15- iscoincident with the-outer edge ofithe channel when in .position thereon. To couple the two fixtures one to the other-each-bracket member ISmaybe providedwith downwardlyextendingslotted tabs 29 or others suitable .fastening means that will facilitate coupling oi the fixtures one to the other. If desired, these tabs'may-also be used to provide the primary; support forthe entire fixture.

While only oneembodiment'of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it is apparent that othea modifieations, changes and-alterations may be made without departingfrom the. true scope and spirit thereof:

What is. claimed is:

1. In a lighting. fixture having an elongated Channel-like member including a. pair of substantially parallel side walls, socketmounting means comprisinga socketmounting bracket: extending between saidwalls; at least two members-on each end of saidbracketwiththemembers on each end disposed in spaced planes substantially parallel tolsaidtwalls, said wallseach including' openings therein for receivingand.slidably engagingthe outermost members onleach-end and mea-nsi carried by. said-bracketfor engaging I said openings to-lockthe bracket in place between and against .moveinentrelative to-said-=wallsi 2; Ina lighting fixture according to claim-l wherein the elongated portion for engagement of the cooperating outwardly extendingmemberwhen the bracket is in saidlocked position.

4. In a lighting fixture according to claim 1 wherein said walls each include a second opening spaced from the first said opening and the last said means comprises an inclined tab on each end ofi-said bracket adapted to be cei e in: t sse iated second opening; 9.0 2 1 sertion Qfi thequ ennosti memh r inr the: saidnp ings, said tabs being movable out of the second of. said openings and into engagement" withtlieedge Qftlie first saidopenings-upon movement ofsaitt bracketiinto the locked position.

5 Atlightingfixture; comprising-am eltmgatediehannel member having ap air 01, depending side walls, a socket mounting bracketat one end 'o f said channel and means for attaching said bracket to said side walls comprising at least two members on each end of said bracket with the members on: each. end: disposed: in: spaced planes substantially-parallel: to said walls; saidtwallseach iii-- eluding. openings therein for receiving and slidabl-y engaging the outermost: members on: each end and means carried by. said: bracket-- fqrrengaging said openings 'to' lock the. bracket in place: betweenz and against. move-- ment relative tolsaid walls; 4

6., A=lightingfixture1acc0igdii1g-to claim 5 wherein said bracket: includes three: members on each end with; the central" member; being. displaced. outwardly from the ad joining. members vv and said openings :in the'channeh walls each include an enlarged central'portionandff a narrow elongation portionifon'engagementioi the cooperating outwardly extending: member! when; that bracket is in said lockedzpositionh 7'. AHfillOl'CSQBIlliifiXtllFB comprising anelongatedchannel memberhaving depending sidewallsiwith each wal'l having at least one opening spaced from each end there of, a; bracket member spanning-zeachiend ofi sairl'ichannel, said memberihavinggmeansizon the'ien dsatheneof for en g ging; said; openings; and lokinggsaidi member in: posiion upon: outwardi movement of the: member relative; to; the channel. and; fastening; meanstfion each. bracket mcmbcrv for -conplingg two or-xmonefixturestinaend toz end? relationship. 

